William Walsh (23 February 1916 – 23 June 1996)[1] was successively Professor of Education, Professor of Commonwealth Literature and Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leeds.
Walsh graduated in English from Downing College, Cambridge in 1943 where he was taught by F. R. Leavis. He then worked as a schoolmaster at Raynes Park Grammar School whilst studying for an MA in Education at the University of London which he achieved in 1951.
In 1951 Walsh became a Lecturer in Education at the University College of North Staffordshire (now Keele University). Two years later he moved to a similar post at the University of Edinburgh.[2]
In 1957 Walsh was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Education at the University of Leeds.[3]
Walsh served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Leeds from 1965 to 1967.[4]
In 1972 Walsh was appointed Professor of Commonwealth Literature in the School of English, also at Leeds University.[5]
Following the death in September 1981 of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Lord Boyle of Handsworth, Walsh delayed his retirement and served for two years from 1981 to 1983 as Acting Vice-Chancellor. Walsh retired from Leeds in 1983 with the title Emeritus Professor and was succeeded as Vice-Chancellor by Sir Edward Parkes. Walsh was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) honoris causa in 1984.[6]
Walsh gave the 1983 John Keats Memorial Lecture.[7]
Walsh married May Watson in 1945. They had a son and daughter.
Walsh died in Leeds on 23 June 1996, aged 80.